AboutNkiru Gelles is a British-Nigerian Architect and Designer focusing her practice on the tangible effect that the built environment has on culture.
Her design approach centers around simple system design crafted with flexibility, ingenuity, and delight.
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Nkiru values spontaneity, believing that unexpected interactions can strengthen connections between people and play a positive role in cultivating resilient communities.
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With a deep sensitivity to place—having practiced around the world in Lagos, London, Hong Kong, and the United States—her clear line of sight is advancing Low Design Office as Principal, as well as serving the growing AIA Austin community as President-elect.
Currently
practiceLow Design Office
Principal
Austin, Texas
Nkiru Gelles was recently elevated to the role of Principal at Low Design Office, where she continues to play a vital role in shaping the firm’s strategic direction and community focused design mission.
leadershipAIA Austin, Board of Directors
2025 President-Elect
Women in Architecture Committee
City of Austin, District 3
Design Commissioner
In PrintReclaiming Hong Kong
Proposals for an Ecological Vision for the City
Pacific Rim Construction Magazine
July 25, 2014
Nkiru Mokwe Gelles
Written by Aaron Seward
Texas Architect Magazine
Sept/Oct 2020
Together Again
How third places are being reconsidered for the new millennium.
Written by Nkiru Gelles, Assoc. AIA
Texas Architect Magazine
Jan/Feb 2024
exhibitionLa Biennale di Venezia
Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.
The Perimeter of Architecture: Amid the Elements
James Stirling Book Pavilion
Venice, Italy
10 May to 23 November
2025
at HomeCentral Texas Gardener
Blank Yard to Wonder-Filled Gardens
Architects Nkiru and Richie Gelles applied muscle, imagination, and patience to turn their bare backyard into a lively habitat. On a typical day, their young sons spot lizards, admire butterflies on native plants, and grab a snack from seasonal herbs and vegetables.
Community + Public
Posada Esperanza 2025 _ Family shelter designed to serve immigrant mothers and their children escaping domestic or cultural violence from across the Americas and Africa. _ 1,979 SF Casa Marianella _ Low Design Office
P6 at The Line Hotel 2015 _ Carved out of the parking garage's upper deck, the panoramic cocktail bar reflects the region’s culture of outdoor living with a wrap-around outdoor terrace designed with a custom glazing system. _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
Aberdeen City Garden—'The Granite Web' 2011 _ Winning proposal plan, depicting overall landscape strategy and connection to the existing site context of Aberdeen, Scotland's city centre. _ Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Tiny Victories: Richard's House 2021 _ Affordable micro-home for a formerly unhoused client at Community First! Village. _ 250 SF Design Voices _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture in collaboration with Risinger Building Company
Republic Square Park Cafe 2014 _ Walk-up cafe situated along a pathway in a downtown Austin park. _ 550 SF Austin Parks and Recreation _ Miro Rivera Architects photography by Sergio Reza
The Broad 2015 _ Public exhibition space and archive with a delicate, yet structurally self supporting ‘light control’ facade system that ‘veils’ the generous open interiors of art gallery spaces. _ 12,000 SF Eli Broad Art Foundation _ Diller Scofidio + Renfro
The Line Hotel — Lady Bird Lake Pathway 2015 _ Concept for public community space stitching together the newly-renovated Line Hotel and Austin's Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail. _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
Museum of Image and Sound 2023 _ Six-story museum defined by a continuous ramp that climbs up from street level, extending the beach front promenade. _ 73,500 SF Designed for a Brazilian contemporary arts and education nonprofit organization in Rio de Janeiro. _ Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Taipei Pop Music Centre 2009, Unbuilt _ Competition entry for the City of Taipei's Pop Music Center. _ Asymptote
residential
Travis Heights Historic Home 2021 _ This residence expands upon a historic home with an addition true to its time, reflecting the evolving character of the neighborhood, and designed to fit the homeowner’s lifestyle. _ 10,000 SF _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture photography by Chase Daniel
Travis Heights Historic Home 2021 _ "Connected by a grand spiral staircase, the progression of the four levels of the home feature playful patterns and hidden nooks, illuminating a unique living experience of merging past and present." —Architizer _ 10,000 SF _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture photography by Chase Daniel
Travis Heights Pool House 2021 _ "Among the native gardens, the expansive back yard is multifunctional and includes a pool, lawn games court, sunken garden, fire pit, and putting green as well as a landscaped prairie roof meadow on top of the cabana, integrated within the natural surroundings." —Architzer _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture photography by Chase Daniel
Hudson Valley House 2023 _ Enclosed in a greenhouse-like structure, the residence, guest quarters, and music studio is sheltered within a larger "bio-climate" which serves as a buffer against the harsh winter climate. _ 6,400 SF _ Low Design Office
Tiny Victories: Richard's House 2021 _ "Not only is it this beautiful piece of architecture, but it also incorporates indoor/outdoor spaces seamlessly, which is really striking given how tiny it is.” —2021 TxA Design Awards Jury _ 250 SF Design Voices; Community First! Village _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture photography by Leonid Furmansky
Hospitality
Alfred Coffee at The Line 2018 _ Alfred Coffee at The Line Austin features with sculptural black timber by Texan artist Michael Wilson. _ Sydell _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture photography by Chase Daniel.
Arlo Grey at The Line 2018 _ Arlo Grey is the hotel’s lakeside restaurant by Top Chef winner, host and cookbook author Kristen Kish. The custom woodwork by artist Michael Wilson explores tribal symbolism through both western and eastern motifs. _ Sydell _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture photography by Chase Daniel.
The Line Austin 2018 _ Over 500 original artworks were commissioned by a diverse group of Central Texas artists for both guest rooms and public spaces, a dedicated artist’s studio, and a residency program. _ 30,000 SF Sydell _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture photography by Chase Daniel
The Line Austin 2018 _ A hotel renovation focused on restoring the original modernist architectural style while bringing together diverse materials complemented by works from local artists. _ 30,000 SF Sydell _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture photography by Chase Daniel
East Village Hotel 2017 _ Located in East Downtown Houston, the hotel is a 75-room project that is part a new districts of 5 city blocks with existing mid-century industrial buildings that have been adapted and re-purposed. _ 45,307 SF Ancorian _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
Domain Z4 2017, Unbuilt _ Concept for a boutique office building and workspace designed with a focus on flexibility and outdoor space. _ Endeavor _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
Littlefield Izakaya 2018 _ 11,42 SF Colina West, David Khan _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
Milk + Honey 2023 _ Located within The Loren Hotel Austin, the spa's natural materials, sophisticated furnishings, and careful attention to acoustic design create an environment that promotes well-being through spatial design. _ 5,000 SF Milk + Honey
Milk + Honey, Chicago 2023 _ Located in Chicago's Gold Coast, Milk + Honey’s award-winning spa offers luxurious treatments, healing therapies, and medical aesthetics in a relaxing, friendly, and design forward environment. _ Milk + Honey
Milk + Honey, Los Angeles _ Located in Culver City, California, Milk + Honey's second LA location offers a full range of day spa and medSPA services. _ Milk + Honey
Zadok Jewelers 2019 _ Zadok Jewelers is the anchor tenant of 1800 Post Oak Place— a five story mixed-use retail, restaurant, and office space located in the heart of Houston’s Uptown District _ Zadok Family _ Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
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